How Long Until The Tissues Soften After Chin Reduction Surgery?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I had surgery in the beginning of December of last year for chin reduction surgery. I just had some basic questions for you that I will ask now. It’s been 2 months and the swelling has gone down quite a bit, I’m curious if there will be any more reduction or is this the extent of it. Also, I’m still feeling a lot of resistance in my chin area. Not numbness just resistance. Is this normal? Is this something that I’ll just have to get use to?

A: Good to hear from you. I generally feel that it takes up to a minimum of 3 months after surgery for maximal tissue settling and complete swelling reduction of any facial bone reduction surgery including the chin. So you are probably about 85% there now. Also the chin stiffness will eventually go away I believe but that will take much longer, perhaps as long as 6 months or even longer. The normal feeling/movement of the chin may even take up to a year for complete softening of the chin tissues.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis,Indiana